Distribution: Uncommon in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Distributed through the Western Pacific from southern Japan to Australia and New Zealand. In Australia recorded from Shark Bay in Western Australia, southern Queensland south to at least Port Stephens in New South Wales.

Ecological Notes: Frequents harbours and coastal reefs, but more commonly seen offshore around rocky boulder slopes adjacent to islands. Depth to 80 m, more often shallower.

Additional Notes: Narrow head with spots and yellow eye, linked dark bars along the body. Fins have lighter margin. Only occasionally seen in open water, usually secretive in coral/rock with head only exposed. Previously known as G. prionodon. Grow to 1.5 m commonly 80 cm.

References: R. Stuart-Smith, G. Edgar, A. Green, I. Shaw, Tropical Marine Fishes of Australia. Reed New Holland Publishers, 2015. p. 39.

Kuiter, R. H., Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Published by Crawford House Press Pty. Ltd., 1993. p. 33.

FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. https://fishbase.ca/summary/Gymnothorax-prionodon.html. Accessed 27/05/18.

Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Gymnothorax+prionodon. Accessed 27/05/18.